We aim to develop next generation polysaccharide-based hydrogel materials, which can be activated in a controlled manner with light or heat to release active materials on demand. The active materials can include drugs, cells, or enzymes. We will combine the benefits of state-of-the art light-activation methods with novel polysaccharide hydrogels. This will allow for light-control over materials properties or even their degradation. This will widen the use of these bio-based materials to applications where their in vivo non-degradability has been a limiting factor: drug delivery, tissue engineering, and biomedical implants. Further, we will show that by engineering the properties of the gels, or by using light activation, these materials will be highly valuable as sustained drug release matrices, where the release rate can be modulated on-demand.

2024

2028